Charismatic Pastor Idowu Iluyomade has announced his newly established church, The Family Fellowship has acquired a site at the plush Lagos coastal city, Eko Atlantic, where the ministry will erect a permanent Cathedral.
Iluyomade revealed the great news during the church’s second service at its temporary site, Civic Centre along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The former Senior Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish said the land was donated by a member of the new church.
On Sunday January 19, Iluyomade finally launched his own ministry, with an inaugural cum thanksgiving service held at the prestigious Civic Centre.
During the inaugural service, Iluyomade urged the congregation to rededicate their lives to God and commemorate their spiritual rebirth as a “second birthday.”
Known for his lively and celebratory style, the service featured singing and dancing, drawing friends, families, and loyalists from their time at RCCG.
At the second service attended by hundreds of worshippers, Iluyomade encourage Christians to embrace the act of giving, both to their fellow humans and to support God’s work.
He noted that many believers struggle with the principle of giving, which he described as a sacrificial act that brings God’s blessings.
In his sermon, titled ‘Giving’, Iluyomade emphasized the importance of understanding biblical principles on offerings and tithes.
“As believers, you have to be very careful because there are all kinds of doctrines flying around today. I want us to reason together because there have been many teachings concerning giving. If you are not careful, you will miss it in this area, and that is the gospel truth,” he admonished.
Iluyomade continued: “Your giving begins with your offering. Tithe belongs to God—10 percent of your income belongs to Him. And God knows mathematics. Many people avoid reading Malachi 3, where God complains about people robbing Him in tithes and offerings.
“We need to repent. If God calls us robbers, we should ask ourselves: will any robber enter heaven? And how much is this 10 percent that God is asking for? If I were God, maybe I would ask for more, but He only asks for 10 percent to bless the remaining. Let’s reflect on that.”
The Celebrity Pastor also urged worshippers not to adopt a lackadaisical attitude towards paying their tithes, while stressing the equal importance of helping the poor and needy, particularly in challenging times.
“Ministry costs money. That’s why God said we should bring tithes so the needs of His house are met. Concerning offerings, God said everyone should give according to how He has blessed them. Naturally, the rich should give more than those with less. We must give in proportion to our prosperity,” he added.
The cleric further encouraged Christians to live holy and righteous lives, warning against neglecting these foundational aspects of faith.
Demonstrating the spirit of generosity that Iluyomade highlighted in his sermon, two members of the Family Fellowship announced a contribution of ₦4 million to Bethesda Home & School for the Blind.
Iluyomade —who tendered his resignation from the church after he was suspended by the RCCG highest body following his wife, Siju’s lavish 60th birthday party few weeks after a prominent member of the RCCG City of David Parish and key financier, Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba and son Chizi and several others died in a helicopter crash in California, United States on February 9— faced significant challenges after his recent resignation.
Public response to Iluyomade’s situation were divided as some church members voiced strong support for their erstwhile Senior Pastor, criticising the RCCG for what they see as a pattern of sidelining influential Pastors. Others, however, criticised the couple for their perceived extravagant lifestyle, suggesting it may have played a role in their current predicament.
Amidst this turmoil, rumours started circulating that the Iluyomade might establish their own church as such a move could allow them to continue their ministry without the constraints and politics of RCCG, providing a fresh start and a platform to further his vision.
